This time last year, I was in sunny Dominican Republic for yet another Easter in the Caribbean. Now I'm in the Washington DC area, since relocating here back in September 2023. It's actually been really nice to return to the United States on a full-time basis after being a digital nomad and roving reporter for 15 years. If my enthusiasm shocks you, you're not alone. It caused quite a stir among those who read my IG post on this a couple of weeks ago.
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Perhaps I'll change my mind come election time in November, but for now, despite the divisiveness at the political level and the pushback on affirmative action, I'm finding comfort in being closer to family and in having access to many of life's conveniences.
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On the tourism level, at least, I find the US has made quite a bit of progress in DEI and sustainability in the past three years.
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There's innovation happening on the destination management front, a colleague who works in this space said recently, agreeing that I had come back at a good time. In April, for example, being on the mainland means I can easily hop over for work to a US destination that is highlighting its Black heritage in new ways, while receiving an crop of boutique luxury hotels. It will be interesting to experience it all and see how it feels on the ground. Stay tuned for a destination feature coming to my Bloomberg Pursuits coverage. In contrast, change and innovation have been slow to come by in the Caribbean islands' tourism industry. At least it's what I've observed after all these years. There are exceptions among select groups, but by and large, it's a business as usual approach at the destination level, when leaders in this region should be at the forefront of adaptation to climate and social sustainability. (I'm open to hearing your thoughts on this).
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Another plus to my stateside return: the opportunity to collaborate with Cornell University's Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise as Executive-in-Residence for the next 12 months. Alongside the Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program (STAMP) team, I'll focus on conducting outreach to journalists in other regions who are interested in furthering their coverage of sustainable tourism issues. It is sorely needed.
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For starters, there are 25 media scholarships that STAMP will administer for its Sustainable Tourism Destination Management Course, with my input. Stay tuned to my LinkedIn for an announcement on how to apply for those scholarships; we are currently developing the criteria.
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If you know journalists or writers who might be interested and cover destinations in Africa, Asia, Central or Latin America, for example, please tell them to keep an eye out. Once selected, participants will have access to a webinar which I will help develop and lead on how to incorporate sustainable tourism principles in destination reporting and storytelling.
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Lastly, if you're seeing real innovation happening in tourism that's shaking up the status quo in your corner of the world, I'd love to know about it — hit reply and drop me a message.
Tourism is the industry of beautiful appearances (Horizons Magazine, Switzerland) Thoughts on greenwashing in PR and niche travel, from a professor at the University of Lucerne whose research topics includes the history of tourism.
Mexico's controversial new 'superhighway' \"The quality of the life here is different if you are a white person or if you are Indigenous,\" said Isabella Matt, an Afro-Indigenous artist and Puerto Escondido native. \"We have two different Mexicos: The real Mexico, and one the tourists know.\"
On April 17, I'm excited to join the co-founders of Hidden Compass for their online monthly speaker series. Hidden Compass is a respected online publication dedicated to immersive storytelling and exploration.
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We plan to have a lively discussion on the future of travel—the challenges the industry faces, and what it means to decolonize travel, to embrace sustainability, and to cultivate a conscious mindset as we move through the world.
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In Media & Awards
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Grateful to have picked up a handful of awards this season, and to be working with a handful of editors whose values align.
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Tourism Lens
A newsletter on conscious, equitable and inclusive travel. Plus, a reporter's musings from the road.
Issue 8: Spring is for Transitions and Innovation
Published about 1 year ago • 3 min read
Issue 8: Transitions and Innovation Hey, everyone, Lily here, bringing you the first Tourism Lens update of 2024—which means this is now a quarterly newsletter! Perhaps you're celebrating Easter Sunday, or enjoying the tail end of Spring break with your families. Maybe you're even battling the airport crowds as we speak. This time last year, I was in sunny Dominican Republic for yet another Easter in the Caribbean. Now I'm in the Washington DC area, since relocating here back in September...
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